Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Can Dogs Eat Brown Sugar? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Considerations

Dogster-Can-Dogs-Eat-Brown Sugar

Many people have a seemingly insatiable sweet tooth. However a taste for sugar may have some benefits, as it supplies energy and is quickly metabolized by the human body with a decent return. Dogs aren’t different from people in our need for glucose for the health and functioning of our red blood cells and brains. So, if you like sweet treats, you may wonder if you can give your dog brown sugar.

The short answer is no, dogs should not eat brown sugar, even though it’s technically not toxic like chocolate or raisins. Nevertheless, it can have adverse health consequences that make it a big no-no. Let’s explore why indulging your pup’s sweet tooth is a bad idea.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

Why Can’t Dogs Eat Brown Sugar?

Our pets can detect all four tastes in varying degrees. Interestingly, our canine companions aren’t as keen on salt as we are because of their low tolerance for sodium. Meanwhile, cats can’t taste sweet. These differences are the products of evolution and, in direct and indirect ways, improve the animal’s survival. Your dog can eat sweet foods, like some fruits and vegetables, but excess and processed sugars are not good for them. So, the concentrated form of brown sugar is a problem for dogs.

sugar, healthy, brown sugar
Photo by feelphotoz, Pixabay

The Risks of Feeding Brown Sugar to Dogs

Brown sugar is high in calories and nutritionally void. A single packed teaspoon contains 17.5 calories. That may not sound like much until you compare it to a 10-pound dog’s daily caloric intake of 275 calories. However, that’s nearly equivalent to all the treats your dog should get for the entire day. They are far better off eating a treat with some real nutritional value that will make them feel more sated.

Food Intolerance

Brown sugar is table sugar with added molasses, which gives it its characteristic color and taste. Chemically, it is a disaccharide or two bonded simple sugar molecules. The takeaway is that it’s more complex, which can affect its digestibility. This is similar to you eating something that doesn’t agree with your system.

Think of it from your dog’s perspective. The chances are you feed your pet one diet supplemented with treats. Of course, treats shouldn’t be making up more than 10% of your pet’s daily caloric intake. The animal’s body is fine-tuned to what they eat. So, when you give them something wildly different from their usual food, like brown sugar, their body levels of the necessary enzyme to break it down are low or lacking. That creates the perfect storm for GI distress and abdominal pain.

This adverse reaction doesn’t involve the immune system, so it’s not an allergy. Instead, scientists call it an intolerance to this new food. That’s also the reason you should slowly transition your dog to a different diet: to give them time to adapt.

sick husky dog in vet
Image Credit: Pressmaster, Shutterstock

Other Sweeteners

You may wonder about other sweeteners and their effects on your dog. Sugar, whether powdered or regular table sugar, isn’t toxic to dogs. However, the same precautions apply. The exception to the rule is xylitol. This sugar substitute is poisonous to dogs. This chemical stimulates insulin release, which, in turn, drops blood glucose to life-threatening levels. It can also cause liver damage in dogs.

We’ve discussed brown sugar as a single food item. However, we strongly urge you not to give your pet any baked goods that may contain xylitol. If in doubt, leave it out of your pup’s diet.

Dogs and Carbohydrates

When discussing brown sugar, the discussion generally turns to carbohydrates. Carbs provide glucose that canines must have.

A small experiment with dogs allowed free choice of foods to determine their macronutrient preferences. The animals selected a diet composed of 30% protein, 63% fat, and 7% carbohydrates. It’s worth noting that canines use smell in conjunction with taste, which may have influenced their preferences.

When accounting for palatability, another study had dogs choosing 23%, 41%, and 36%, respectively. These percentages fall in line with the breakdown in commercial diets.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

Conclusion

Dogs have evolved and adapted over the ages to live with humans, even to influence their diet and metabolism. Our pets can technically consume carbs like brown sugar. Nonetheless, brown sugar is problematic on many fronts.

One must consider the calories in foods since our dogs aren’t nearly as active as their wild counterparts. That puts obesity on the table. The other concerns lie with adverse health effects like dietary intolerance. Brown sugar can negatively affect your dog if given regularly. Therefore, we recommend not giving it to your pup to avoid starting a bad habit.

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: GabiSanda, Pixabay

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How to Trim Puppy Nails: Vet-Approved Step-by-Step Guide

Trimming your puppy’s nails is an essential part of their grooming routine. However, many puppies find this process uncomfortable or frightening. To ensure...

Polish Tatra Sheepdog: Breed Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

One of the rarest breeds in the world, the Polish Tatra Sheepdog is a millennia-old working breed that assisted rural people in the...

Zinc Neuter for Dogs: What Is It, Risk & Ethics

Neutering is a word most everyone can immediately recognize, it means to sterilize a male animal. Everywhere you look, you see people advocating...

Cancer Treatments for Dogs: Our Vet Explains the Options

Your dog has the “Big C”, and that’s scary enough by itself, but now you have to figure out the best way to...

More related

10 Best Dog Nail Grinders in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Trimming your dog’s nails is a necessary part of dog ownership, but it’s not fun for anyone. The process can be stressful for...

Golden Retriever vs Border Collie: Notable Differences (With Pictures)

Choosing a canine companion can be challenging, but if you are looking for a medium to large dog that is intelligent, beautiful, active,...

Are Dogs Afraid of the Dark? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Tips

People are often afraid of the dark, which may lead us to wonder if dogs are as well. The answer is both yes...

10 DIY Dog Bandana Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Dressing up dogs can be fun for dog owners, but many dogs may not be on board with wearing a fuzzy sweater on...

Keep reading

Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary If you’ve got a growing pup, you know how important it is to give them the best fuel possible. Hill’s Science Diet puppy foods are a great choice because of the company’s research-backed approach to nutrition. With over...

Dogster_Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Food Review

Can Dogs Eat Onions? Vet-Verified Toxicity & Safety Tips

Dogs are often indiscriminate about what they eat, so we have to be careful with what types of snacks and table scraps we feed them, as they may contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs. One common food to avoid...

Can Dogs Eat Onions

Are Pig Ears Good for Dogs? Vet-Verified Facts & Guide

Pig ears have been popular dog treats for quite a while, but it’s always a good idea to investigate whether any treat is suitable for your dog. When it comes to pig ears, the answer is “sort of.” Pig ears...

Pig Ears

Puppy Feeding Guide: Quantity, Schedule & FAQ

It is essential to feed your puppy correctly. Puppies are constantly growing and need different nutrition than an adult dog. Feeding your puppy correctly now can prevent problems later on. For instance, many large and giant dogs will develop hip...

Cocker Spaniel puppy eating

Pros & Cons of Grain-Free Dog Food: Benefits, Risks, & More

Grain-free dog food has been gaining in popularity over the past few years. And while grain-free diets may have some benefits, there are also some potential risks associated with them as well. In this article, we’ll take a look at...

a dog eating from metal bowl

Can Dogs Drink Human Breast Milk? Nutrition & Health Facts

Many pet owners consider their dog to be their baby, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, there are some things that we shouldn’t be sharing with our pets, and breast milk is one of them. In addition to being...

Can Dogs Drink Human Breast Milk

Can Dogs Eat Salsa? Vet Approved Facts & FAQs

Salsa is a spicy relish composed of tomatoes, peppers, herbs, limes, onions, and spices. It’s usually paired with tortilla chips as an appetizer, but it can also be used as a topping or filling for tacos, enchiladas, or burritos. Salsa...

Can Dogs Eat Salsa

Is Spicy Food Bad for Dogs? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Advice

While dogs can enjoy many of the same foods as humans, they should not eat spicy food. Although most spicy food isn’t toxic to dogs, it can still lead to negative consequences. So, it’s best to avoid giving any to...

spicy grilled chicken